I know of two cases this far (1 being myself) where the amniotic sac was scraped and labour started within the next 24 hours. I am very thankful my doctor did this because I was scheduled the next day for an induction at 40 weeks and a day (I'm 42 years old with first child considered high risk). Happily labor induction was not necessary. Consider this before going through with induction.

Many mention how humans have been reproducing for years, but do not mention the death rates before (prior to medical intervention) vs now (with medical intervention available). I know everyone would like to express their opinion here, but please keep in mind the purpose of this site. Moms to be: trust your instincts and ask for second opinions if need be. When unsure of whether to make a decision or not, ask your OB or midwife I you can discuss your options in light of your specific/unique situation. Good luck!

Early labor that never progresses to active labor is also an excellent reason the get induced. This is what has happened to me with all three of my pregnancies. I just wish they had allow me to get induced within 24 hours and not have to wait out 48 plus hours of contractions getting me nowhere.

This article does everyone a disservice by saying induction should happen 1 or 2 weeks after the estimated due date. It's an estimated due date because it can be wrong up to two weeks either way. Why make women freak out when they are still within the range of normal? I tend to go past the due date because my babies like to hang out posterior versus anterior and don't pressure the cervix to get going. Yes, it totally sucks to still be pregnant but the babies are fine and normal. I've been induced with three. One time I was taken off the pit and since my body took over. The other time different doctor kept it on. It was horrible. Pit contractions hurt so much more. They also don't tell you you might have an allergic reaction to the epidural or prophylactic antibiotics and meds. Induction isn't risk free and is done much too carelessly in the US.

Today is my due date. Yesterday, i noticed a bit of mucus with a streak of blood on my toilet paper tissue. Then later on that day a tiny bit more came out, it looked like a bit of strawberry jam.

Nothing else happened yesterday, then at 3am i felt something wet. Went to the bathroom and there was a clear thick liquid type substance discharging. Went back to sleep, woke up again at 8am with the same discharge.

Was that my bloody show and am i leaking?? Nothing else has happened all day. Pleade help me, this is my first baby! Thanks.

Today is my due date. Yesterday, i noticed a bit of mucus with a streak of blood on my toilet paper tissue. Then later on that day a tiny bit more came out, it looked like a bit of strawberry jam.

Nothing else happened yesterday, then at 3am i felt something wet. Went to the bathroom and there was a clear thick liquid type substance discharging. Went back to sleep, woke up again at 8am with the same discharge.

Was that my bloody show and am i leaking?? Nothing else has happened all day. Pleade help me, this is my first baby! Thanks.

Ok some people's comments on here are somewhat ridiculous I'm not a doctor but let's just face a few facts 1. There is a margin of error in calculating exactly how pregnant you really are unless you were really trying to get pregnant chances are you weren't paying that much attention That being said2. Unless there's a significant medical reason for you to be induced nobody should be induced before 40 weeks3. There's some people here that believe doctors shouldn't interfere and let the baby come when it's ready I do understand what you mean yes people have been having babies for thousands of years without help BUT modern science has given us more information then what our ancestors had at 41 weeks you risk the baby swallowing meconium at 42 weeks there's an increased chance of still birth especially because your placenta starts to "die off" and doesn't provide for the baby anymore like it should If you have to induce then do it, if not let it be do what's best for you and the baby

Okay so I'm 37weeks and i have been to the doctor twice last weekend....He told me that he had me goin because I'm to small and he don't think my baby growing....Buttt my baby is 5pounds 12ounces in my stomach....I was told that normal size if I was to have him any day....But my doctor said that's not....Then why do he keep sending me home....?? If everything is fine...?

I was induced just over the weekend with my first child due to my water breaking without labor and preeclamsia. I thank God for my doctors swift response. My baby is just a bouncing bundle of joy. the only downside is the recovery time after birth.

I was induced using Pitocin through IV when I had my 1st child. When comparing to my friends who had natural contractions, it's totally different. I felt more intense pain. Now I know why thanks to 2Timothy15's explaination. Having my 2nd one in Oct. May have to resort to c-section because of my placenta covering my cervix. Still praying for a miracle so I can have a natural delivery:-)

I believe that the article said that Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin. It doesn't act identically to oxytocin, which is the hormone the our body produces, but the hospitals mainly use it to get labor started.

Pitocin is NOT oxytocin. I am very annoyed that Babycenter.com keeps interchanging these words. They are not the same thing. THe human body naturally produces oxytocin which helps in uncountable ways in delivery from relieving the body's pain during labor to being a natural cocktail right at delivery. (Watch The Business of Being Born.) Pitocin just gets hard and fast contractions going, which can and will be more painful during labor and more stressful on your baby.

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